Tasting Profile
May 2026
Bright aromatics of dark cherry and wild raspberry rise from the glass, unfolding into classic Pinot layers of crushed strawberry, rose petal and a delicate violet lift. Beneath the fruit sits a subtle savoury depth of dried herbs, forest floor and fine spice, with a whisper of toasty oak framing the wine rather than defining it.
The palate is supple and finely detailed, with red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate gliding across a bright, seamless line of acidity. Tannins are fine and silky, giving gentle shape and texture without weight. The wine finishes long and poised, carried by pure fruit, savoury nuance and a lingering sense of elegance.
13.5%
Tasting Profile 2025
Tasting Profile 2024
Tasting Profile 2023
Reviews
Wine Pilot, June 2026
Ken Gargett
A pale but vibrant crimson, with hints of the Blue Mountains haze. The nose offers notes of strawberries and cherries, chocolate, bay leaves, dried herbs and a touch of vanilla. Good focus, there is quite a creamy texture here, and some early complexity. So much to love here. Juicy acidity with a lingering finish, a touch of sour cherry is evident as the wine comes to a conclusion. It finishes with silky tannins and should provide pleasure for the next eight to ten years at least.
95 points
Wine Pilot, May 2026
Jeni Port
Offers a different pinot perspective to its higher elevated Red Hill sibling. The Balnarring vineyard is just 50-60m above sea level and the fruit here was fermented in large format wooden foudre as well as stainless steel. Solid crimson hues. Builds on a deep, savoury-influenced style where dark fruits mix with violet florals, dried herbs and rosemary, baking spices and an added dimension of game meat savouriness. Excellent depth of flavour and interest explored over a line of lacy tannins. Superb balance, light and shade, and still has so much to offer over more time in bottle.
95 points
The WineFront, May 2026
Campbell Mattinson
This is a safe bet. It presents an attractive mix of varietal fruit flavour, teamed with undergrowth and smoky oak. Complexity is at a good level here and everything is in harmony. This is a dry, confident wine that maintains good momentum throughout, not to mention appeal.
93 points
JancisRobinson.com, May 2026
Tamlyn Currin
Strawberries and pencils. Light sketch, red-juice etch, pencils and petals and delicate yet dense. Tannins that stretch and yawn like naked morning and then curl up, limber, lithe, but not wanting to be anything other than sensuously soporific.
17/20 points
The Vintage
The Vineyard
The Port Phillip Estate ‘Balnarring’ vineyard is located on the Mornington Peninsula at Balnarring, on Miocene sedimentary soils. Our wines are made from domain grown, handpicked grapes and aim to manifest terroir: the integration of our geology and soils with the macroclimate of our region, the mesoclimates of the various sites within our vineyard and the weather of the annual grape growing season. Our cultural operations in the vineyard and practices in the winery endeavour to articulate these unique characteristics diligently, respectfully and without artifice.